The Influence of Unemployment on Discrimination against Religious Minorities

• In Event: Oppression of Religious Minorities

Abstract

Research suggests that economic conditions may destabilize social group interactions, yet most empirical existing studies have on surveys and attitudes rather than discriminatory actions. Social psychology theories such as group threat theory, the realistic group conflict theory, and personal conflict theory, predict that unemployment should lead to more discrimination. However, to the best of our knowledge, cross-national research into this topic remains rare. This study examines the cross-national influence of unemployment on government-based religious discrimination (GRD) and societal religious discrimination (SRD) against religious minorities on real-world discriminatory actions against religious minorities using the . Religion and State (RAS) and a panel of economic indicators on 157 countries over a period of 10 years. We find that high unemployment rates results in higher GRD and SRD against religious minorities.

Authors

• Adam Al Afenish, Bar-Ian University

• Jonathan Fox, Bar Ilan University

• Ariel Zellman, Bar Ilan University